In the second round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, Shane Lowry expressed his frustration following a controversial ruling against him. On the eighth hole, his golf ball landed in a pitch mark made by another player, and despite seeking relief—permitted only if the ball is in the player’s own mark—Lowry was instructed to play the ball as it lay.
This ruling led to a series of unfortunate events for Lowry. After striking his next shot poorly, sending it into a bunker, he vented his anger with an outburst, exclaiming, “F–k this place,” and forcefully hitting his wedge into the ground. Although he managed a remarkable third shot from the bunker, he narrowly missed making par, showing his displeasure by gesturing at the ball as it rested close to the hole. Ultimately, the day ended on a bitter note for Lowry, as he missed the cut by a single shot, calling the ruling a “kick in the teeth.” He noted his disappointment, feeling confident that two over par would suffice to progress further in the tournament.
Playing by the rules is fundamental to golf, yet the intricacies surrounding relief from pitch marks often spark debate among players. Lowry, currently ranked world No. 10, was among a surprising contingent of top-ranked players who also missed the cut, which included notable names such as Justin Thomas and Hideki Matsuyama.
At the top of the leaderboard, Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas maintained his lead with a one-under-par 70. Kiwi golfer Ryan Fox was the standout performer among Australian golfers, finishing even par and sitting four shots off the lead. Australians Adam Scott and Cam Davis lagged further behind after struggling through their rounds, with Davis dropping from a promising position to post a three-over 74.
The cut left several high-profile players, including Min Woo Lee, Jason Day, and Cameron Smith, out of contention for the weekend. Defending champion Xander Schauffele narrowly avoided missing the cut himself, finishing with an even-par score to extend his remarkable streak of consecutive cuts made in professional tournaments to 64. He reflected on his performance, acknowledging the pressure as he faced tough conditions but managed to salvage his round with key birdies towards the end.
As the weekend approaches, hopes are high for a fruitful final stretch of the tournament, with all eyes on the leaders and the remaining competitors aiming for a turnaround in fortunes.